Europe 1992: New gen VW Golf and Opel Astra on top

* See the Top 40 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to STAC *

The traditional VW Golf / Opel Kadett battle for the European best-seller title takes a completely different direction in 1992. To improve its chances of putting its star model in the top spot, Opel ditches the Kadett nameplate and launches a totally new model, the Opel Astra, to coincide with the launch of the Golf 3.

Opel Astra

And it works, at least at the start. The Astra starts better than the Golf 3 and even takes the leadership in Germany for a couple of months. In Europe, Golf 3 and Astra figures are neck-to-neck throughout the year but the final ranking, adding 2nd gen sales to the Golf figure, sees the VW keep the top spot with 783,839 sales and 5.8%, with the Opel Astra #2 at 669,371 sales and 5%. The Golf nameplate therefore celebrates its 10th consecutive year atop European sales.

BMW 3 Series

The Ford Escort (incl. Orion) ranks #3 at 613,265 units followed by the Renault Clio gaining 10% to 596,880 sales and passing the Ford Fiesta, down 2% to 581,605 units. The Fiat Uno is #6 with 512,583 sales followed by the Renault 19 and Opel Vectra. Notice the impressive arrival of the BMW 3 Series at #13 with 283,299 units.

The best-selling Japanese model in Europe in 1992 is the Nissan Sunny at #24 with 138,412 sales, ahead of the Toyota Corolla at #25 and 135,887 units and the Nissan Primera at #26 with 134,902 units.